28/03/22 Boule practice adventuring.

I am tired, Mum is tired. The respite home is closed due to covid outbreaks, with no real idea of when Dad can go back. So no showering in peace, no reflexology for Mum since Dad thinks that if Mum closes her eyes she might be dead. Keep going.

Dad is getting worse by the day too. It took him a while to work out how to put his gloves on today. The word motif on the gloves go on the top of the hand, and I make sure he has the right glove for the correct hand. Somehow he turns his hand around so the words are underneath, the thumb is in the wrong place, so he swaps hands, turns the gloves to face the correct way up, and then can't work out were the thumb goes. We try again. This time we have

“lost a finger”

or rather have two fingers in the same finger space. Try again!

On Sunday we have a boule practice at the Bowling Green. He was captain, has played, and won in France. Been on the Derbyshire Dales boule league committee. And can play fairly well too. He is not sure. Firstly we were going to walk.

“its a long way, am I not walking”

So we go in the car. Shoes on, Coat on, Gloves on, Hat on. We get down to the car.

“I want to go to the toilet”

Reverse the process and start again!

You can't be in a hurry to go anywhere, may as well enjoy the sunshine.

The Bowling Green we get the boule out, settle Dad on a chair with a blanket. Try him on a bitter shandy. He is not sure about that. As his anxiety tablet starts to work, he relaxes and remembers that he use to play. Maybe he could have a go. He needs encouragement to stand on the round mat. He holds the boule expertly, and reads where he had engraved his name on the boules. Eventually he had a go. A bit shaky, but then it is our first go for about 2 years!

Thanks Team for helping and letting us join in!

He gets into the games, clapping if someone has a good shot. Every now and again he has a go. Then he want to know when we are going home. For those who have played against Mum, you will be glad to know that she won both her games, and is planning to try and get to league matches at home, Dad permitting. Dad might watch, or he might be doing more important things like jigsaws.